San Mateo County Libraries is excited to welcome acclaimed author and artist Mike Curato as he discusses his heartwarming graphic novel Gaysians.
On Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM, join us for a virtual Q&A session with Mike—grab a library copy of Gaysians ahead of time and jot down all your insightful questions! Limited copies of Gaysians will be raffled away to Zoom attendees after the event.
About Gaysians
From the acclaimed author of the YA graphic novel Flamer comes a gorgeous tale of four gay Asians as they navigate love, identity and friendship in Seattle during the early aughts.
When AJ moves to Seattle, he’s ready to reinvent himself as a gay Asian man—but his dreams hit reality fast with no friends, no job and an apartment so far out, “not even lesbians live there.” Then, a spilled drink at a bar introduces him to K, a glamorous drag queen, John, a shy gamer, and Steven, a reckless flirt. AJ’s “Boy Luck Club” helps him find love, pride and belonging—until a brutal attack tests everything they know about friendship and family.
Meticulously observed and gorgeously illustrated, Gaysians is a fierce, funny and tender story of queer resilience and self-discovery.
Meet Mike Curato
Mike Curato is an author and illustrator of books for children, teens, and adults. He is best known for his Little Elliot picture book series and his young adult graphic novel, Flamer, which received several honors including the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult, the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award for Young Adult, and was listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. Flamer also has the distinction of being one of the most banned and challenged books in the United States, and Mike has become a fierce advocate of free speech. He continues to create books that center love, compassion, and friendship. Mike’s debut adult graphic novel, Gaysians, released in June 2025 to critical acclaim.
Praise for Mike Curato and Gaysians
I've been hunting for books like this my whole life; this story broke my heart and healed it. — Maia Kobabe (Genderqueer)
Curato's wrenching and fascinating saga carries this quartet through affections, betrayals, careers, and simply staying alive amid threats of anti-gay and anti-immigrant violence. The three-dimensional characters and superb plotting draw on both stereotypes and realities associated with Asian Americans and LGBTQIA+ people.... VERDICT: Curato’s immersive, heartwarming graphic novel is highly recommended. — Library Journal Starred Review
This is—more than anything, perhaps—a story about how the family we’re born into may compel us to create a chosen family, and how our own experiences might inspire us to expand our circle of care… A tender and compelling coming-of-age story. — Kirkus Starred Review
Gaysians is a beautiful prism of queer Asian/Asian American experience, grounding and groundbreaking. You’ll feel seen, called out, held, beloved. I laughed, I cried, I healed a little or a lot—but I’ll never forget what this book showed me. — Alexander Chee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel)
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